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The 2019/20 GOS complaints submission which was paused due to Covid-19, will reopen on Monday 7 February 2022 until Sunday 27 February 2022 for a final window. This is to give GOS contractors who have not yet submitted a response a final opportunity to do so. GOS contractors will be able to submit for both the 2019/2020 and 2020/21 …
Continue reading “Annual GOS Complaints Submission – Final Reminder”
18 February 2022
New Guidance on Self-Isolation The College of Optometrists have issued a statement advising that the cut to the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19, which is now five full days, will apply in primary care settings – Further details can be found HERE.
9 February 2022
Continuing professional development (CPD) is a statutory requirement for all fully qualified optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians. All full registrants must earn a minimum number of CPD points by the end of each cycle to stay on the registers. The previous CET scheme went through a significant overhaul before being relaunched as a …
Continue reading “Everything you need to know about getting your CPD points”
25 January 2022
The current CET period ends at midnight on 31st December 2021. You are reminded that you will need to accept any outstanding points by then. This is the final year of this 3 year cycle, the new cycle will become Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in 2022. You can can still do CET for this period IF the provider can upload the points …
Continue reading “End of CET Period and GOC Christmas Hours”
16 December 2021
The GOC has published new guidance to help registrants in situations where they need to consider the professional requirement to speak up when patient or public safety may be at risk. It covers all concerns such as when something has been observed that appears seriously wrong or is not in accordance with the accepted standards …
Continue reading “GOC publishes new Speaking Up guidance for registrants”
7 November 2021
We understand that our region has welcomed several Afghan evacuees. Following their initial isolation period, you may be contacted by those seeking eyecare. Read the full advice for primary care here. Afghan relocation and resettlement schemes – additional guidance for optometry practices Individuals and families arriving into the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance …
Continue reading “Afghan evacuees”
10 October 2021
All organisations with NHS Mail accounts are required to complete the Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT) on an annual basis. Although waivers were previously applied due to the pandemic, from 1 July 2021 all optometry contractors applying for an NHS Mail account have been required to complete the DSPT. Contractors have a full 12 …
Continue reading “Update to NHS Mail and the Data Protection Security Toolkit (DSPT)”
20 September 2021
From 28th August 2021, the pathway for referral of urgent cases in MK is the BLMK Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES). This service provides urgent assessment and treatment for recent and sudden onset eye problems, for children and adults registered with a GP in Bedfordshire, Luton or Milton Keynes. A new urgent & emergency eyecare …
Continue reading “New urgent eyecare pathway for Milton Keynes”
27 August 2021
Public Health England has issued updated guidance on NHS staff self-isolation and return to work following COVID-19 contact. Read the full guidance here.
15 August 2021
If you’re a GOS contractor, you’ll need to complete the annual GOS complaints survey by 11:59pm on Friday 3 September. Visit NHSBSA for more information. The 2019/20 GOS complaints submission was paused due to Covid-19, however it will be open in conjunction with the 2020/21 submission which will run from 26 July 2021 until 3 September 2021. Under GOS regulations 2008, contractors are …
Continue reading “Annual GOS complaints survey”
11 August 2021
OFNC calls for an additional £350m of funding for NHS primary eye care.
19 February 2025
OFNC met with MPs at the Future of Primary Care event held on 28 January.
4 February 2025